Richard Barton Buchholzer

Richard Barton Buchholzer

Richard B. (Dick) Buchholzer, a man of vision, an entrepreneur, a businessman and community leader, whose career over a period of 60 years had a significant impact on Akron and the surrounding area, passed away on Feb. 6, 2006, at the age of 89.

He was born Feb. 19, 1916, in Alliance, Ohio, the son of Julius Johannes (JJ) Buchholzer and Kathleen Shaw Buchholzer. The family moved to Akron in 1923. Dick graduated from Cuyahoga Falls High School, attended Mt. Union College, and studied law at the University of Akron. He served in the Ohio National Guard for three years.

At an early age, Dick started working for his father (JJ), who owned Hower Department Store in East Akron. Over the years he and his father forged a dynamic team of retailing, business, and real estate development. In the late 1940s they began acquiring land for development in strategic parts of the Akron area. After the loss of his father, Dick, with his partners, Forest City Enterprises, developed and opened Chapel Hill Mall in 1964, which Dick managed. The mall became known as ``The Friendliest Mall of All." Rolling Acres Mall was opened in 1975. Other commercial and residential properties were also developed.

With the closing of Hower Department Store, Dick had the foresight to turn the building into Middlebury Manor Nursing Home. He became a licensed nursing home administrator and managed the facility in its first years. Ever seeking new challenges, Dick bought the former Grace Elementary School, which he converted into an antique mall--School House Antiques.

In his later years, he became very interested in the storage business and planned, built, and managed two successful self- storage facilities.

Ever the advocate of Akron and the State of Ohio, Dick was a "Rhodes Raider" and an Ohio Commodore, joining with the governor and other Ohio businessmen on a number of foreign missions, traveling to Asia and Europe promoting Akron and the State of Ohio, which resulted in several companies locating in the Akron area.

Over the years Dick contributed greatly to the Akron area, receiving many accolades and awards for his community leadership.

He was supportive and active in a number of local organizations such as the Akron Regional Development Board, the Beacon Journal Charity Fund, Akron Community Foundation, Stan Hywet Hall, Leadership Akron, Blue Coats, Great Trail Council Boy Scouts, Salvation Army, and United Way, to name a few. He was a Layman Advisor to the National Unity Churches. Dick was a member of Fairlawn and Portage country clubs.

Dick was known to always carry a camera and take candid pictures of dignataries and friends who later loved receiving personalized photographs of these moments in time. He was also known to be an avid golfer.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Frances, and stepdaughter, Elizabeth Sturtevant. He leaves his beloved sister, Eleanor Buchholzer Erickson; his brother, Bruce; and sister-in-law, Edna Buchholzer. Also surviving him are nieces, Karen Buchholzer Stevens and Julie Buchholzer, and nephew, Mark W. Erickson. He was preceded in death by his son, Richard (Rick) B. Buchholzer, and brother, Wendell.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15, at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 1361 W. Market St., with Rev. Sandra Selby officiating. Friends may call at the Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel, 85 N. Miller Rd., from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 14. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the Richard B. Buchholzer Memorial Fund, care of the Beacon Journal Charity Fund, 333 S. Main St. Suite 319, Akron, Ohio 44308. This special memorial fund will assist needy children with orthodontic treatment. (Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel, 330-867-4141.)